This fall, six Fox Chase donors came together to talk about their motivations for giving and their relationship with Fox Chase. We distilled that two-hour conversation into this 5-minute video, which debuted at the November 4 Laurel Society Recognition Event. Our hope is that all of our supporters will hear familiar themes that speak to their own reasons for giving to Fox Chase. Launch video »

Bob Devlin: In 2004, I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. I came to Fox Chase at the recommendation of a woman on my mail route who had survived thyroid cancer. She recommended her surgeon, Dr. John Ridge. I don't think I could have asked for a better surgeon for this type of cancer. He is truthful, he gets right to the point and he's a Top Doc in Philadelphia magazine! Dr. Nicos Nicolaou treated me with IMRT following surgery to remove the tumor in my neck. He was very caring. I also felt more comfortable going to Fox Chase because they have researchers there in the same building. What more can you ask for?

Throughout my experience, my wife Linda stood by me as wife, caregiver, and information gatherer. She made phone calls, surfed the Internet, spoke with cancer survivors, and learned all she could. I don't know if I could have made it without Linda.

Linda Devlin: Patients do not hear what the doctor says in the same way family members do. Bob was in a daze for about a week after his initial diagnosis. We had never heard of head and neck cancer before Bob was diagnosed with it. One place I visited was Fox Chase's Resource and Education Center. There, they have information on all types of cancers. We also drew support from the people at Fox Chase. Bob's nurses kept me together during the long days spent at the Center for infusions and radiation treatments.

Bob Devlin: After battling head and neck cancer, later the next year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This time, I was confused about what treatment to get. With all the options available for prostate cancer, I wanted to make the right decision, but I didn't know what that was.

Linda Devlin: We chose Fox Chase again. They feel like family to us. It may be a smaller center, but they have everything here that you need, plus more personal attention. Bob's experience has raised our awareness about the importance of cancer prevention. I became a member of the Risk Assessment Program. Bob has encouraged his brother to learn more about his risk through Fox Chase's Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment program.

Bob Devlin: We decided to organize a fundraiser supporting Fox Chase by selling cakes, brownies, and other treats from Sweet Street Desserts, based near us in Reading. We raised more than $7,200 at our first event. We intend to do three or four fundraisers a year. We have lots of ideas!

Linda Devlin: This is the only way we feel we can have some control over the situation. We don't have millions of dollars, but we can still do something for cancer research.

Disclaimer: Temple University Health System (TUHS) neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents. Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System and by Temple University School of Medicine.